In accordance with the FEI Veterinary Regulations (VRs) all events are already mandated to have a biosecurity plan and a mitigation plan for outbreaks of infectious disease. OCs must submit these documents to the VD no later than one week before the event.

Temporary
provision

For events with more than 400 horses stabled overnight the biosecurity measures must be signed off one week in advance of horse arrivals. A biosecurity checklist will be provided based on FEI Regulations and temporary provisions.

Temporary
provision

This sign-off is done by a listed independent veterinarian. The National Head Veterinarian (NHV) approves the list of these veterinarians.

The National Federation (NF) appoints the veterinarian for each event. The listed veterinarian reports to FEI Veterinary Department.

OC
NHV/NF

• All stabling must have good ventilation.
• The aisles must have one-way systems so horses do not meet nose-to-nose.
• Grooming/saddling in the aisle area prohibited.
• Horses from the same transport to be stabled together.
• Recommendation that vaccinated horses should be stabled separately from unvaccinated horses. (If a transport includes vaccinated and unvaccinated horses, they must be stabled in the unvaccinated area.)

Options for indoor/under the same roof stabling:

1. Not more than 100 horses stabled overnight in a shared airspace. Recommendation: at least 2.4m high box walls between horses of different athletes, or alternatively one empty box/tack box between horses of different athletes.
2. Not more than 200 horses stabled overnight sharing the same airspace. Boxes must be grouped in units of up to 16 boxes. Minimum six-metre distance in all directions between each unit of 16 boxes.

Temporary
provision

OC

Maps of where each athlete’s horses are to be stabled must be produced before the arrival of the first horses. Updated map to be provided once the horses have arrived if any changes were made to the original stable plan.

VRs

The maps must be made available to the VD before the start of the event as printouts and digital photos/PDF. Updated versions to be provided if changes to original map/plan.

Implementation of FEI best practice on cleaning and disinfection of stables in accordance with Article 1017 of the FEI VRs. Designated responsible person within the OC.

VRs

Activity record to be kept and controlled by the VD.

OC

All boxes must be sealed after cleaning and disinfection.

Temporary provision

Mandatory handwashing/hand disinfection at entry/exit points of stables.

VRs

Disinfection spray at key points throughout venue (entry points, stables).

Temporary

provision

OC

The isolation/quarantine area must not be in the same stabling area or same airspace as non-isolated horses. It must be separated by at least 50 metres from any flow of horses, whether indoors or outdoors.

Clarification of VRs

The Veterinary Services Manager (VSM) to appoint a Veterinarian in charge of the isolation stables and advise the VD.

Temporary provision

Disposable boot covers and disposable or washable coveralls, warm water, liquid soap, paper towels, hand sanitiser, etc placed at the entry/exit. Protective gear must be used within each isolation unit and changed between groups of horses within the unit and removed prior to leaving isolation stables. (“Groups” are horses from the same transport.)

Temporary provision

Athlete/PR

OC

All relevant personnel

Anyone working in the isolation stables (veterinarians, grooms etc.) must not enter any other stabling area without full cleaning and disinfection process.

Clarification of VRs

Athlete/PR

OC

All relevant personnel

No unauthorised personnel and no animals (other than the isolated horses) in or near the isolation stables.

Clarification of VRs

Onsite isolation: minimum two individual boxes per 100 horses.

VRs

Provision for isolation overflow site to ensure that if horses transported together need to be isolated at the same time after the examination on arrival, there is sufficient capacity. Pre-approved external location may be used within 10 km:

• Two separate units of four boxes as a minimum for any event with overnight stabling.
• For events with more than 400 horses there must be a minimum of four separate units of four boxes.

Temporary provision

EADCMP testing to take place in each horse’s box.

The Testing Veterinarian must wear protective clothing (overall, etc.) and change this between horses.

Temporary provision

Veterinary treatment may take place in the horse’s own box but only under supervision of the VD or an FEI official assigned by the VD.

Temporary provision

VD

FEI Officials

Should treatment boxes/an onsite clinic be used there must be a cleaning and disinfection protocol between horses and records kept of the process.

VRs

To be controlled by VD

OC

VD

Ensure there are no common water troughs or that the hose etc. not touch buckets. (Grooms may bring their own hoses if travelling with multiple horses, but these must not be shared with others.)

VRs

Handwashing facilities (with soap/gel, paper towels and disposal unit) clearly signposted.

VRs

Mandatory handwashing/hand disinfection at entry/exit points of stables.

VRs

Readily available disinfection points for spraying equipment, footwear etc.

Temporary provision

Mandatory negative PCR test for EHV-1 for events/shows with more than 400 horses of any category and overnight stabling.

Temporary provision

Mandatory negative PCR test for EHV-1 for all horses prior to being transported by plane to all FEI Events.

Temporary provision

Athlete/PR

The sample must be taken no earlier than 120* hours before arrival at the event. *This has been changed from the originally published 96 to 120 hours due to concerns about turnaround time for getting test results back from laboratories.

Temporary provision

Athlete/PR

Negative results to be uploaded to FEI HorseApp by the Athlete.

Temporary provision

Athlete/PR

The horse must be sampled by a licensed veterinarian and the ID of the horse controlled at sampling, and added to the referral of the sample. The FEI ID number of the horse and the time and date of sampling must be indicated in the lab report.

Temporary provision

Presented at the Examination on Arrival on request.

Athlete/PR

Results accepted only from an external laboratory listed by the FEI. In-house veterinary clinic PCR results will not be accepted.

Temporary provision

FEI to provide a list of laboratories.

Athlete/PR

FEI HQ

Athlete/groom to provide a signed FEI self-certification of health status for all of their horses on the event venue, including mandatory temperature monitoring charts for the 10 days leading up to the event.

Temporary provision

Athlete/PR

No entry to venue for horses that are not in compliance, nor their in-contacts, including horses travelling on the same truck/transport. Recommendation: External stabling facility (not isolation stables), within 50 kilometres, to be identified by OC in advance.

Temporary provision

OC

Sanctions for non-compliance: Elimination from the event and non-compliant horses required to leave the venue. Disqualification of results. Possibility for further disciplinary sanctions.

Temporary provision

Ground Jury

Ground Jury

FEI HQ

Option 1

Examination on Arrival takes place outside the secured stable area and is planned to ensure that horses do not come into close contact with others. Can be obtained by timing of arrivals or ensure that a large area is used. External locations may be used.

(This does not apply for events where horses are not stabled overnight.)

Temporary provision

Option 2

If no external area is available, horses can be unloaded from transport and examination on arrival (including temperature taking) conducted in the horse’s allocated stable in accordance with separate horse arrival procedure flowchart.

Temporary provision

FEI Vets

FEI Vets

Normal procedure: scan of the horse's microchip to confirm ID (using Bluetooth microchip reader & FEI HorseApp); check for any other signs of infectious disease and equine influenza vaccinations, as already indicated by VRs.

VRs

VD or delegated by VD to VSM organisation

OC

VD, VSM

Horses with an elevated temperature (over 38.5C) to undergo a specific protocol in compliance with FEI VRs and flow chart.

VRs

Horse’s temperature entered in FEI HorseApp by FEI Veterinarian conducting exam.

Athlete/PR

FEI Vets

Athlete/groom to provide a signed FEI self-certification of health status for all of their horses on the event venue, including mandatory temperature monitoring charts for the 10 days leading up to the event.

Temporary

revision

Presented on request to the FEI Veterinarian conducting exam.

Athlete/PR

FEI Vets

No entry to venue for horses that are not in compliance, nor their in-contacts, including the horses travelling on the same truck/trucks (if group management). Recommendation: External stabling facility (not isolation stables), within 50 kilometres, to be identified by OC in advance.

Temporary provision

OC

Sanctions for non-compliance on self-certification: Fine of CHF 400 per horse.

New Bylaw

Ground Jury

FEI HQ

Temperatures of horses to be taken twice daily (morning/evening) by athlete/groom and recorded on a clipboard displayed outside the stable of each horse using the FEI temperature recording chart.

FEI Officials to check results twice daily.

Sanctions for non-compliance.

VRs

Spot checks to be carried out at the request of the VD to control compliance.

Athlete/PR

FEI Officials

Spot checks can include EADCMP sampling outside the event period.

Temporary provision

FEI HQ

Testing Vets

At events where competition takes place over consecutive weeks with horses stabled in the same airspace, the horses must be PCR tested for EHV-1 every Monday in order to remain on venue, regardless of whether they compete or not.

Temporary provision

Sampling by VSM/treating team. Sampling veterinarians are paid by OC. Costs for analysis borne by PR. Costs to be published in Event Schedule.

Athlete/PR

OC

For such events there must be either a laboratory on call (during normal office hours) or an FEI listed stable-side testing unit available for PCR analysis of EHV-1.

Temporary provision

OC

Should any horses leave the venue and return they must comply with the requirements stated above under “PRE-EVENT PREPARATION”.

Temporary provision

Athlete/PR

The current rule (FEI General Regulations, Article 109.13) must be more strictly enforced and sanctions implemented in accordance with FEI Regulations.

FEI GRs

Athlete/PR

Ground Jury

FEI HQ

Restricted stable access. Only essential personnel allowed access to stables areas e.g. those directly involved with horse management. Horse owners are considered essential personnel. Athletes must not permit stable access to anyone other than these essential personnel.

It is strongly recommended that personnel only access the stable unit where their horses are situated.

VRs

OC

All FEI Officials to be instructed by the VD on biosecurity measures with particular focus on veterinary controls, stewarding of nosebands, boot and bandage controls etc.

Temporary provision

FEI Officials

For Shows/Events with more than 200 horses requirement for an Additional VD per each additional 200 horses. At such events, the Primary VD must assign one of the additional VDs to oversee biosecurity procedures.

Temporary provision

OC

FEI Officials

Microchip or passport must be scanned using the FEI HorseApp prior to each horse leaving the venue to ensure traceability should an outbreak occur.

Temporary provision

OC when giving back the horse passport to the athlete.

OC

Possibility for the FEI Secretary General to cancel competitions during an FEI Event if there is an EHV-1 outbreak.

Temporary provision

FEI

To expand the FEI’s jurisdiction and to allow the FEI to impose EHV related requirements & restrictions against Athletes, Horses, FEI Officials, OCs at any time, even if an FEI Event is over.

Temporary provision

FEI

If an outbreak is declared by the FEI, all sick and in-contact horses should be under FEI jurisdiction until they are released. The biosecurity measures should include submitting GPS coordinates of the horse’s location via the FEI HorseApp > Traceability.

Temporary provision

FEI

Article 1 -

Objectives of the By-Laws

1.1.

The EHV-1 By-Laws are intended to:

a)  Protect FEI Horses and global equestrian sports from the consequences of infectious diseases being transmitted before, during and after FEI Events.

b)  Provide reassurance of the high health of equestrian sport Horses to global, continental and national veterinary authorities and organisations in order to maintain and further improve the conditions for international movement of such horses.

1.2

The short term objective is to minimise the risks for a restart of FEI Competitions and FEI Events in mainland Europe after the EHV-1 outbreaks.

1.3

The long term objective is to increase biosecurity knowledge, skills and awareness among all FEI stakeholders.

Article 2 -

Persons bound by the Policy

2.1

All National Federations (“NFs”), Organising Committees (“OCs”), Officials, Horse Owners, Persons Responsible, Athletes, team officials, Veterinarians and other individuals and bodies involved in FEI Events shall comply with, and are bound by the EHV-1 By-Laws and any EHV related requirements and/or restrictions imposed by the FEI. In addition, by virtue of accepting an accreditation to an FEI Event, such person agrees to be bound by the EHV-1 By-Laws.

2.2

In addition, NFs, OCs and FEI Officials have the following responsibilities:

2.2.1

NFs:

a. Communicate these EHV-1 By-Laws to the OCs under their jurisdiction.

b. Ensure that all OCs under their jurisdiction develop a biosecurity plan and mitigation plan for outbreaks of infectious disease in accordance with these EHV-1 By-Laws and FEI Rules and Regulations for any FEI Event/Competition they intend to hold.

c. Assist the OCs in this task if required. 

d. Facilitate the OCs’ interaction with the relevant domestic government and health/veterinary authorities where appropriate.

2.2.2

OCs:

a. It is recommended that OCs consult the domestic health/veterinary authorities in the biosecurity plan and mitigation plan for outbreaks of infectious disease elaboration process where appropriate/needed.

b. Submit the biosecurity plan and mitigation plan for outbreaks of infectious disease (including name and contact details of the person(s) in charge) to the Veterinary Delegate (“VD”) no later than one week before the event. For Events with more than 400 Horses stabled overnight, the biosecurity measures must be signed off one week in advance of Horse arrivals.

c. Communicate the biosecurity plan and mitigation plan for outbreaks of infectious disease decided to the FEI Officials appointed for the Event (Foreign Judge/President Ground Jury/Technical Delegate/Chief Steward/Veterinary Delegate)

d. Apply and enforce the mitigation measures identified for the Event.

e. In addition, apply and enforce any measure and requirement specified in the EHV-1 By-Laws.

2.2.3

FEI Officials:

a. Know these EHV-1 By-Laws.

b. Understand and comply with mitigation measures for outbreaks of infectious disease applying at the Events they are appointed to.

c. Within their respective functions, assist OCs with the measures implemented under these EHV-1 By-Laws.

d. Provide any relevant feedback to the FEI in their respective reports or as directed by the FEI.

e. Report any suspected case of EHV-1 to the FEI Veterinary Department immediately.

2.2.4

FEI:

a. Ensure that OCs have completed their biosecurity plan and mitigation plan for outbreaks of infectious disease in accordance with these EHV-1 By-Laws and FEI Rules and Regulations.

b. Take the necessary measures in case of a Horse or Horses test(s) positive for EHV-1 and/or in case of further EHV-1 outbreak(s).

c. May, at its sole discretion, sanction and/or open a disciplinary case against a person or persons not complying with the EHV-1 By-Laws.

Article 3 -

FEI Jurisdiction (this article shall remain in effect beyond 30 May 2021)

3.1

FEI Secretary General cancellation

3.1.1

Notwithstanding art. 109.12 of the FEI General Regulations, the FEI Secretary General shall have the authority to cancel an Event, including an Event that is in progress, with immediate effect, if:
-  an EHV-1 outbreak has occurred at the Event; or
-  there is one or more suspected cases of EHV-1 on site; or
-  based on veterinary/epidemiological advice, cancelling the Event is necessary to prevent an EHV-1 outbreak occurring.

3.1.2

The Decision of the FEI Secretary General shall be final and not subject to appeal.

3.1.3

Upon the cancellation of the Event, the FEI Officials on site and the OC must:
-  ensure that all Competition related activity (training sessions, warm ups, schooling, etc.) is also stopped immediately; and 
-  immediately start to apply the measures set out in the Biosecurity Contingency Plan and/or instructions from the FEI or relevant health/veterinary authorities.

3.2

Removal of an Event from the FEI Calendar

In accordance with art. 112.3 of the FEI General Regulations, the FEI Secretary General shall have the authority to remove any Competition and/or Event from the FEI Calendar if justified circumstances relating to a Competition or the Event are established. The non-compliance of an OC’s biosecurity plan and/or mitigation plan for outbreaks of infectious disease with these EHV-1 By-Laws and/or any other non-compliance with these EHV-1 By-Laws shall be considered as justified circumstances for the purpose of art. 112.3 of the FEI General Regulations.
Before removing the Event from the FEI Calendar, the FEI may, in its sole discretion, provide an OC with an opportunity to make the necessary and required changes to the biosecurity plan and/or mitigation plan in order to be compliant with these EHV-1 By-Laws, such changes to be approved by the FEI and made within the deadline set by the FEI.

3.3

Increased FEI Jurisdiction

Where an Event has been cancelled or removed from the FEI Calendar pursuant to articles 3.1 and 3.2 above or where the FEI declares an EHV-1 outbreak while an FEI Event is still ongoing or has ended, the FEI shall have the following increased jurisdiction:

3.3.1

Horses

For all Horses still on site at the Venue or have been onsite within 14 days of the first case being identified (or within 21 days if there are justified circumstances as identified and decided by FEI):

(i)  Requirements for Horses that are still onsite, the following shall apply:

-  Mandatory compliance with all biosecurity measures imposed by the domestic veterinary authorities, the FEI and/or the FEI Officials on site;

-  Any Horse that has:

•  tested positive for EHV-1;

•  shows (or has shown) symptoms of EHV-1 on site (even if it has returned a negative test);

•  been deemed by the FEI or the domestic veterinary authorities as being “in contact” with a Horse that has tested positive for EHV-1 or a Horse that is showing (or has shown) symptoms of EHV-1 while on site will be blocked in the FEI database.
​In addition to keeping the Horse(s) isolated and taking twice-daily rectal temperatures, a negative PCR test result taken after day 21 must be provided to the FEI Veterinary Department before Horse(s) will be unblocked  and eligible to compete again in FEI Events. If the test generates a positive result, the Horse must remain in isolation for an additional 7 days and be re-tested. This procedure is in accordance with the FEI Veterinary Regulations, Article 1029.7.

-  No Horse is permitted to leave the venue (including any satellite stables) unless and until it has been deemed fit to travel by the relevant domestic veterinary authorities and has received the relevant health certificates;

-  When the Horse is cleared to leave the venue, the Horses’ GPS coordinates identifying their location must be submitted to the FEI via the FEI HorseApp as follows:  all location where the Horse stops, meaning the departure point, any stop-over points and arrival location. In addition when the Horse is moved from the destination stable to another location, this should also be reported via the HorseApp;

(ii)  Requirements for Horses that had already left the venue prior to the an EHV-1 case identified:

-  Horses’ GPS coordinates identifying their location must be submitted to the FEI via the FEI HorseApp as follows:  all location where the Horse stops, meaning the departure point, any stop-over points and arrival location. In addition when the Horse is moved from the destination stable to another location, this should also be reported via the HorseApp;

-  The FEI Veterinary Department must be informed immediately if any Horse:

•  Tests positive for EHV-1; or

•  Shows (or has shown) symptoms of EHV-1 (even if it has returned a negative test).

-  Any Horse that has:

•  tested positive for EHV-1;

•  shows (or has shown symptoms) of EHV-1 on site (even if it has returned a negative test);

•  been deemed by the FEI or the relevant veterinary authorities as being “in contact” with a Horse that has tested positive for EHV-1 or a Horse that is showing (or has shown) symptoms of EHV-1 while on site will be blocked in the FEI database.
In addition to keeping the Horse(s) isolated and taking twice-daily rectal temperatures, a negative PCR test result taken after day 21 must be provided to the FEI Veterinary Department before Horse(s) will be unblocked  and eligible to compete again in FEI Events. If the test generates a positive result, the Horse must remain in isolation for an additional 7 days and be re-tested. This procedure is in accordance with the FEI Veterinary Regulations, Article 1029.7.

The FEI may, in its sole discretion, consider and accept more technically advanced/certified testing and requirements

Failure by a PR, Horse Owner and/or Support Personnel to comply with any of the above requirements may result in the imposition of disciplinary sanctions including the immediate suspension of the Horse and PR from all Competitions for a fixed period of time.

3.3.2

FEI Officials
Notwithstanding the cancellation of an Event and its related period of jurisdiction, the FEI Officials on site (and any other FEI Officials that the FEI may appoint to assist with containing the outbreak) shall continue to have the authority to act as FEI Officials and represent the FEI onsite until such time as the FEI deems that their presence is no longer required.

3.3.3

OCs

OCs must act in accordance with the instructions of the FEI Officials and/or FEI Headquarters and/or the relevant domestic animal health authorities in relation to the implementation of biosecurity measures.

3.4

Miscellaneous
For the purpose of these Return to Competition Bylaws “on site” shall mean venue where the Event is taking place and includes any satellite venues/stables/warm-up arenas where Horses have been training or stabled in connection with the Event.

Article 4 -

Sanctions

4.1

Anyone refusing to comply or not complying fully with the biosecurity plan and mitigation plan for outbreaks of infectious disease put into place by OCs under these EHV-1 By-Laws may be asked to leave the venue.

Events for which the FEI (either directly or through the Veterinary Delegate where applicable) has not received the documented biosecurity plan and mitigation plan for outbreaks of infectious disease (and/or the biosecurity plan and mitigation plan do not comply with these EHV-1 By-Laws) may be removed from the FEI Calendar in accordance with Article 112.3 of the FEI General Regulations.

4.3

Events for which the FEI (either directly or through the Veterinary Delegate where applicable) has not received the documented biosecurity plan and mitigation plan for outbreaks of infectious disease (and/or the biosecurity plan and mitigation plan do not comply with these EHV-1 By-Laws) may be removed from the FEI Calendar in accordance with Article 112.3 of the FEI General Regulations.

Article 5 -

EHV-1 By-Laws and Domestic Legislation

5.1

All measures under the EHV-1 By-Laws must take into account and comply with the applicable legislation and policies from the domestic government and health/veterinary authorities.

5.2

These EHV-1 By-Laws are not intended to supersede the applicable legislation and policies from the domestic government and health/veterinary authorities. They are meant to supplement them with sport specific considerations in order to ensure that appropriate levels of precautions are taken prior, during and after all FEI Events that are subject to the EHV-1 By-Laws.

5.3

Should there be any disputes about the interpretation of any provision of these EHV-1 By-Laws and/or the measures available in the forms & downloads section, the interpretation given by FEI Headquarters shall prevail.

Critical measures/requirements for safe return to competition in mainland Europe post EHV-1 (pdf document)

FEI post-EHV-1 Return To Competition By-Laws (pdf document)

List of Countries (pdf document)

These three documents contain the contents published in the blocks above - published on 9 April 2021

EHV-1 Return to Competition Athlete Information Seminar:

Presentation by Göran Åkerström, Veterinary Director and Gaspard Dufour, Director Information and Sports Technology (pdf format) - published 09 April 2021

Watch the Athlete Information Seminar - published 09 April 2021